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Differences according to gender and health status in CD4:CD8 ratio in a sample of community-dwelling oldest old. The OCTABAIX immune study

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Abstract

Background and aims: The presence of an immune-risk phenotype (IRP) has been correlated with survival rates in elderly people. The aim of this study is to characterize the inverted CD4:CD8 ratio as a possible marker of IRP in a sample of oldest old (85 years) by assessing differences in gender and health status. Methods: Comorbidity, functional status (Barthel Index), and cognitive status with the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination were evaluated. Non-disabled subjects were defined as those with better health status, with scores of >90 on the Barthel Index and >23 points on the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. CD4:CD8 ratios were recorded, and a ratio of 1.00 or less was used to define IRF. Results: Three hundred and twelve subjects aged 85 years old were studied, 190 women (60.9%) and 122 men. The CD4:CD8 ratio was 1.00 or less in 47 subjects (15.6%) and higher than 2.2 in 115 (36.8%). There were no differences in CD4:CD8 ratio according to health status. The inverted CD4:CD8 ratio was more frequent in men (55.3%). Conclusion: In this community-dwelling, single year birth cohort study, the subgroup with poor health status did not have a lower CD4:CD8 ratio. The inverted CD4:CD8 ratio was more frequent in men.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geriatric Unit, Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain

    Francesc Formiga MD, PhD & Ramon Pujol

  2. Primary Health Care Centre «El Plà» CAP-I, Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    Assumpta Ferrer

  3. Laboratori Clínic Metropolitana Sud, Atenció Primària, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    Gloria Padros

  4. Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Alfons Lopez Soto

  5. Centre de Atención Primaria Florida Nord, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    Marta Sarro

Authors
  1. Francesc Formiga MD, PhD
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  2. Assumpta Ferrer
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  3. Gloria Padros
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  4. Alfons Lopez Soto
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  5. Marta Sarro
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  6. Ramon Pujol
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Correspondence to Francesc Formiga MD, PhD.

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Formiga, F., Ferrer, A., Padros, G. et al. Differences according to gender and health status in CD4:CD8 ratio in a sample of community-dwelling oldest old. The OCTABAIX immune study. Aging Clin Exp Res 23, 268–272 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324966

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324966

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